Leica M Mount Lens Test & Zeiss Lenses for Model Photography

Tonight I was playing around with my M42 mount Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.8 on the Leica M9 via a Leica M – M42 adapter. I understood that you cannot focus M42 lenses on the rangefinder focus system as there is no coupling but I found that if I set my 50mm lens to 0.65M I could focus through the view finder. This is amazing for me as I like to use lenses close so can now use this nice lenses at 0.65M whereas other Leica M lenses tend to focus at 0.7M. (see below for Zeiss Planar Model Photography on D800!)

I then thought I would try my perhaps even nicer M42 mount Zeiss Pancolar 80mm f1.8 lens (via same adapter). Again I found I could focus it at 0.65M. This is great for me as I now have an 80mm lens I can focus at 0.65M. Perfect for my model shoots.. watch this space! Pleased. (see below for Zeiss Pancolar Model Photography on D800!)

> I have one more lens on route so check back and I will add the results. It’s a surprise! 🙂

Note* All photos are resized DNG files using LR3. No sharpening. All lenses used wide open at minimal focal distance on Leica M9. The tones are not an accurate representation as the sun kept coming out (was for the 28mm shot).

I use the M42 Zeiss lenses on my Nikon D800 via adapter as love the super sharp Zeiss optics and tones over Nikkor glass. Here are a few examples: